Stim2 is a complete software environment
for custom stimulus and task design as well as presentation. The
Stim2 system can be integrated in fMRI,
MEG, and other functional neuro-imaging applications, and is
therefore a powerful part of your functional imaging system. The
software provides a familiar menu-driven interface in which to
design and present visual and auditory stimulation paradigms.

Stim2's powerful and intuitive design
translates into a short learning curve and quick implementation. The
modules make it easy to design and execute your stimuli with the
greatest precision, and the wide array of pre-packaged stimuli
ensures fast integration into your research.

Changes from STIM:
" Runs completely in Windows (XP).
" Support for all common graphics file types, and SND or WAV sound
files.
" A reorganized interface allows easier task configuration and
eliminates redundant settings.
" Mouse and keyboard responses - as well as STIM Response Pad
responses - are sent to SCAN.
" Behavioral results files are more easily accessed and color coded.
" HTML description regions are presented in many modules, explaining
in the software the function of the various parameters or settings.
" A new Gentask Editor that facilitates creating, modifying and
debugging sequence files.

Gentask (Generalized Task Editor): An interface for
creating and presenting almost any type of visual, auditory, or
combined task and recording behavioral responses. Here are just a
few of the features GENTASK provides that make designing complex
tasks simple: calibration to ensure precise timing of stimulus
presentation and EP/ERP acquisition system triggering; all common
graphics file types supported; 16 bit sound support (Neuroscan SND
and WAV file types); present pictures and sounds in the same task,
even simultaneously; display pictures for as little as two screen
refreshes; flip between pictures with virtually no delay; plus many
more too numerous to name. Gentask has been used for a variety of
experiments including auditory N400, MMN, CNV, picture memory, and
many more. A new Gentask Editor makes creating, modifying and
debugging sequences files much easier. Many sequence files created
in STIM will play correctly in Stim2. In some cases, you
may need to make minor modifications to allow for some programming
changes.

Naming: A flexible interface for presenting visual
stimuli and recording verbal responses. NAME allows you to configure
tasks with almost any visual stimuli (including text and pictures),
digitally record verbal responses, and score responses for both
accuracy and latency. Precise triggering is also provided for
neurophysiological recording systems such as SCAN.

Stroop: A version of the Stroop neuropsychological
test modified for evoked potential recordings.

Attentional TasksCued: A visual cued attention switching task. CUED
provides central "arrow" and peripheral "highlighted box" cues and
is commonly used as an index of ability to release and reorient
visual attention. Triggering is provided for external devices such
as SCAN ER/ERP system.

CONCPT: A "go/no-go" visual continuous performance
task in which the subject's response to the target should be
contingent upon the appearance of a cue stimulus. CONCPT also
provides triggering for evoked potential recording systems.

VISCPT: A visual continuous performance task widely
used in the assessment of sustained attention. VISCPT provides
precise triggering for evoked potential recording systems such as
SCAN and is an appropriate interface for visual P300 and related
experiments.

AUDCPT: an auditory continuous performance task.
AUDCPT provides an interface similar to VISCPT, wherein you assign
probabilities to up to 10 different auditory events. Provides
precise triggering for evoked potential recordings and is perfect
for P300 and MMN experiments.

VLT (Verbal Learning Task): A flexible interface
for presenting a variety of verbal learning, verbal memory, and
other language paradigms. VLT provides precise triggering for ERP
systems and is well suited to N400 and other language-related ERPs.

SPR (Serial Probe Recognition): A visual memory
task that can be used in a variety of experiments in which serial
position effects are of interest. SPR can be used with provided "normed"
pictures or your own. SPR provides precise triggering for ERP
systems and is well suited to Sternberg memory scanning experiments.

Cognitive TasksCard Sorting: Similar to the card sorting test used
in neuropsychological batteries, CARDSORT is widely used in
behavioral and imaging research studies on concept formation.

Categories: CATEGORY is similar to the widely used
neuropsychological test, and is useful as an activation task in
imaging studies or as a behavioral measure of problem solving
ability.

UtilitiesSound Editor: A program for recording, editing, and
presenting digital sound segments. The Sound Editor has programmable
attenuation in .75 dB steps, a dynamic range from 0 to 130 dB, 16
bit CD quality digital sampling, customizable digital filtering,
mono or stereo processing, and a variety of windowing options.
Sounds can be synthesized (i.e. pure tone, noise, click) or
digitally sampled from a microphone or line input. Precise
triggering is also provided for external devices such as SCAN EP/ERP
system. The module is commonly used to present click stimuli for ABR
or BAER recording, and to create sound files used in other Stim2
modules.

Image Converter: Stim2
will present the commonly encountered types of graphics files (BMP,
JPG, PNG, TIF, etc.). However, should you have files that cannot be
displayed, the Image Converter may be used to convert them to a form
that can be presented.

The Stim2 Audio System and Response Interface
Each Stim2 Complete system is provided
with precision hardware for recording sounds from a microphone or
line input with 16 bit A/D conversion, playing back mono or stereo
sounds at SPL calibrated levels (HL also possible), recording manual
responses with push buttons or optional finger-lift LED photocells,
recording verbal responses with millisecond accuracy, and measuring
reaction time with an independent clock in case stimulus and
response occur simultaneously. Other features of the STIM Audio
System include anti-aliasing filters, audiometric quality insert
earphones, independent left and right channel gain levels, and more.

There are two versions of Stim2:
Stim2 Complete, which uses the existing STIM
hardware, and a Software Only version that uses the
hardware in the computer. The Complete system includes the 4-button
STIM Response Pad, software/hardware control of the decibel levels
(precise dB levels), and the STIM microphone. Keyboard and mouse
responses are available with both systems; the STIM Response Pad
provides the most accurately timed responses. The Software Only
version may be adequate for some situations; however, the Complete
system is generally preferred. It has additional flexibility and
control, and it is likely that long range development will favor the
Complete system.

Stim2 interfaces seamlessly with SCAN
and any of our amplifiers: SynAmps, SynAmps2, or NuAmps.